Kansspelautoriteit rules VPN and location check: what is allowed and what is not?

License holders must perform a strict location check. This guarantees that players are physically located in the Netherlands. The use of a VPN to bypass this IP address check is explicitly prohibited in the general terms and conditions of legal providers such as Holland Casino Online and TOTO. The Kansspelautoriteit does not fine individual players for VPN use, but users risk account freezing, confiscation of winnings, and exclusion from CRUKS-registered platforms.

Legal framework: why the Kansspelautoriteit requires location checks

The Kansspelautoriteit enforces strict rules regarding VPN use and location verification. This ensures the integrity of the Dutch market. Under the Gambling Act, offering online games of chance without a valid KOA license is prohibited. Providers verify through advanced checks whether players are physically located within the Netherlands. Attempts to bypass via VPNs are actively combated to protect against illegal offers and addiction.

The role of the Gambling Act and the KOA license

The Gambling Act forms the legal foundation for supervision of the sector. Only holders of a KOA license, granted under Article 31a of this act, may operate legally. The Kansspelautoriteit checks whether these license holders comply with their obligations. This includes blocking access from unauthorized jurisdictions. This supervision protects consumers from fraud and problematic gaming behavior, as laid down in the policy objectives of the regulator.

Mandatory hosting in the Netherlands or the EU/EEA

The Remote Gambling Decree sets specific requirements for the technical infrastructure. Article 4.42 of this decree determines that electronic means, including servers and databases, must function under strict conditions. Liquidity pooling is permitted, but the license holder must comply with the regulations of the Gambling Act at all times. The location of these electronic means is crucial for enforceability. Data must be traceable to guarantee that only players from permitted areas participate.

The role of the Control Database in supervision

The Control Database registers all game actions and location data. This is central to the supervision by the Kansspelautoriteit. During investigations, such as the case surrounding Sons of Slots and Yugibet, the authority used technical means to verify whether providers complied with the orders subject to incremental penalty payments. This also looked at the use of VPN services such as NordVPN to mask locations. This database enables the regulator to accurately detect violations of the Remote Gambling Decree. Illegal access from outside the permitted zones is thus identified and addressed.

How do location checks and VPN detection work technically?

The Kansspelautoriteit rules on VPN and location checks are based on advanced technical verification that goes beyond simple IP checks. Licensees combine IP address analysis with DNS leak detection and browser fingerprinting. In this way, they guarantee the physical presence of players in the Netherlands. Although a VPN masks the starting point, modern security systems pierce through these layers. They cross-reference inconsistent data in the Geo-location database with device settings, blocking unauthorized access.

From IP address to Geo-location database: the basic check

How does an online casino know that I am using a VPN through my IP address? The first line of defense is linking your IP address to a specialized Geo-location database. Casinos purchase access to these databases where IP ranges of known VPN providers, such as NordVPN, are labeled as datacenter IPs instead of residential connections. Once your connection matches a registered VPN datacenter, access is automatically denied or flagged for further investigation.

The reliability of this method depends on how up-to-date the database is. In the case surrounding Sons of Slots, the operator argued that the Kansspelautoriteit itself used a VPN with a Dutch IP address. The regulator denied this, but NordVPN qualified: they cannot make statements about the functioning of third-party Geo-location databases. This illustrates that a location check is not foolproof. If the database is outdated, a VPN may temporarily go unnoticed, although this offers no guarantee of legal participation.

Advanced detection: DNS leaks and browser fingerprinting

What technical methods do casinos use besides IP checks? When a VPN successfully masks the IP address, platforms switch to DNS leak detection and browser fingerprinting. A DNS leak occurs when your device sends domain name requests via the default ISP server instead of the encrypted VPN tunnel. As a result, your real location still becomes visible to the operator.

In addition, casinos analyze your browser fingerprint, including time zone, language settings, and screen resolution. If your IP address suggests you are in the Netherlands, but your browser settings point to Indonesia, this generates an immediate alarm in the security system. This location check is difficult to bypass without advanced configuration. It exposes inconsistent patterns that do not correspond to a legitimate Dutch player.

The pitfall of WebRTC and proxy servers

Why is hiding your location with a standard VPN often not enough? Many users underestimate the role of WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication). This protocol enables direct peer-to-peer communication. Even with an active VPN, WebRTC can leak your local IP address to the website. As a result, the Geo-location database still identifies your true position.

Proxy servers often offer even less protection than full-fledged VPN services because they generally do not apply encryption to all data traffic. For the Kansspelautoriteit and licensees, it is crucial that these technical leaks are closed to comply with the requirements of the Remote Gambling Act. Players who attempt to bypass these checks run the risk of their account being suspended after KYC verification. Discrepancies between submitted ID documents and the detected location lead to permanent exclusion.

Risks for players: sanctions and account security

The Kansspelautoriteit rules on VPN and location checks are strict, but the direct sanctions for individual players differ from those for providers. Although the Kansspelautoriteit primarily fines license holders for failing to block VPN traffic, players themselves risk account closure and loss of winnings due to violation of the general terms and conditions. Access via a VPN is not equivalent to legal participation. This can have serious consequences for your gaming account and privacy.

Consequences of violating general terms and conditions

Can the Kansspelautoriteit fine me for using a VPN when gambling? Direct fines from the regulator target providers, not consumers. However, casinos such as Holland Casino Online apply strict conditions that prohibit VPN use. If this is detected, it is often followed by a permanent account block without refund of the balance. This measure protects the license holder from enforcement by the Kansspelautoriteit. It requires that only players from the Netherlands have access. As a result, players do not only risk their funds, but can also end up on internal blacklists.

Impact on KYC verification and payouts

What happens to my money if a casino detects my VPN during verification? KYC verification is inextricably linked to the location check. A mismatched IP address during this procedure leads directly to freezing of payouts. Providers like TOTO and BetCity link identity verification to geographical data to prevent money laundering. If the location data does not match the registered address, the KYC verification is rejected. This means players lose their winnings because they violated the terms and conditions. This applies even if they actually reside in the Netherlands but use a VPN for privacy.

Privacy aspects: GDPR and location data

Data protection and compliance may sometimes seem contradictory, but casinos collect extensive location data to comply with the requirements of the Kansspelautoriteit and the CRUKS register. Although this infringes on privacy, it is justified by the legal obligation of addiction prevention and combating illegal offerings. Players must be aware that bypassing these checks via VPNs is not only technically risky but also offers no legal protection against account measures. For questions about responsible gaming or help with gambling addiction, players can contact Loket Kansspel.

Enforcement practice and legal precedents

The Kansspelautoriteit rules on VPN and location checks are strictly enforced, as shown by the case against Sons of Slots. The regulator uses advanced methods, including verification via NordVPN, to detect illegal access. Parent company L.C.S. Limited contested this approach, but the Kansspelautoriteit maintained the order subject to incremental penalty payments for failing to block Dutch players on platforms such as Yugibet.

The case of Sons of Slots and L.C.S. Limited

Sons of Slots is an online gambling platform owned by L.C.S. Limited, an international operator. This entity is central to a legal precedent in which the Kansspelautoriteit was accused of unlawful conduct by using a VPN during checks. L.C.S. Limited argued that the regulator deployed a VPN connection to simulate that an account was being created from the United States at Yugibet, a sister site of Sons of Slots.

The Kansspelautoriteit did not deny using a VPN but stated that the IP address was Dutch. To verify this, the regulator contacted NordVPN, the provider behind the connection. This interaction illustrates how the Kansspelautoriteit collaborates with technical parties to validate location data. Despite L.C.S. Limited's defense that technical measures had been taken, the Ksa ruled that Dutch players could still gamble. This led to enforcement.

Action against illegal providers and gambling terminals

Illegal providers are operators that offer games of chance without the required license from the Kansspelautoriteit. The Ksa actively tackles these parties to protect consumers against fraud and addiction. An important tool here is the order subject to incremental penalty payments, a financial sanction imposed to end violations. In the Sons of Slots case, such a penalty was deployed because the company failed to comply with the order to cease all opportunities for Dutch participation.

In addition to online platforms, enforcement also focuses on physical gambling kiosks, which are often linked to money laundering. The Kansspelautoriteit works together with police and municipalities to prosecute operators under criminal law. Players who play with illegal providers such as Sons of Slots (prior to correction) or at gambling kiosks face risks such as non-payment and a lack of addiction protection.

The role of the Ministry of Justice and Security

The Ministry of Justice and Security sets the framework in which the Kansspelautoriteit operates, with the aim of combating crime such as money laundering. The government wants to protect players from problematic debts and gambling addiction. By setting strict requirements for licenses, the ministry ensures that only reliable parties enter the market.

This government influence translates into direct enforcement by the Ksa, which acts against illegal providers. The policy is aimed at ensuring fair and safe play. The Ksa acts as the executive arm of the legislation determined by the ministry. Without this strong government guidance, illegal practices, as seen in the complex VPN issues surrounding L.C.S. Limited, could be addressed less effectively.

About this article - Editorial guidelines

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst
Fact-checked by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst
Last updated: 2026-08-26.

This article about "Kansspelautoriteit rules VPN and location check" is written by Sarah Weber and fact-checked by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content following changes in regulations, licenses, and bonus terms. All references to licenses, regulators, and laws link to public sources (the local regulator of games of chance, the applicable local gambling law).

About the author

8+ years of experience reviewing casinos, 200+ personally tested platforms in the EU and worldwide. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialization: wagering requirements, payout processes, evaluation of customer service.

About the reviewer

More than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, including 5 years as a compliance consultant for licensed providers in multiple regulated markets. PhD in economic mathematics. Focus areas: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, and player protection systems.

Responsible gambling

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Legal notice

The information in this article is solely intended for editorial and comparative purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Players themselves are responsible for compliance with local regulations.